Jane_1 Success Story:

Age:                    43                      Height:                    5ft 4in

Start Weight:    11st 5lb            Current Weight:     10st 8lb

Goal Weight:        9st 5lb           Weight Lost:           0st 10lb

Sex: Female

I joined lifestylemate in January 2006.  I had my second baby in August 2004.  I found the website and decided to join.  My weight kept creeping up until one day I got on the scales and I was shocked to find I was 11 stone 5b.  I knew it was time to do something, so I took the bull by the horns and joined lifestyle.  I found the website very informative and easy to use and there was a lot of support available.  After the first week I lost 4lb which I have never lost on any diet in one week.  I didn't feel hungry and found it easy to follow; I also found that by keeping a note of drinks, I wasn't drinking anywhere near enough.  So I increased what I drank.

After a couple of weeks of success, I hit an obstacle.  My son was 18 months old and I had very bad post-natal depression.  After a visit to the doctors I made my mind up that tablets were not for me.  A friend of mine recommended a herbalist, so I decided to give her a go.  After the first session I felt really at ease and she would just listen to me pouring my heart out.  She gave me some herbal medicine and although it tasted horrible, it worked after the first week.  I also had some hypnotherapy with her.  I was a bit of sceptic about this but decided to have a go.  It was amazing.  It made you look at life in a totally different way.  I finally felt like my old self and just as treatment was coming to an end, I had a telephone call from mydietmate.  They asked how I was, not knowing what had happened to me.  I explained the situation and they gave me the confidence, incentive and "push" I needed to get back on track with my diet.  I am now well on the way and have reached 10 stone 8lb.  It is coming off slowing, but it is coming off.

I feel like I have had a fresh start.  I run my own catering business from home and have two children so I find it very difficult to lose weight.  Sticking to mealtimes is very difficult so you have to grab a snack when you can.  The difference is now I grab healthy snacks.  I always keep grapes or carrot sticks in the fridge when I feel like picking.  I have also been inspired to create a healthy eating menu for my leaflets.

For a basic low-fat white sauce, put a dessertspoon of Kraft Philadelphia Extra Light into a saucepan to melt, add a teaspoon flour to thicken.  Add quarter of a pint of skimmed milk to make a sauce and add salt and black pepper to taste.  Once you have the basic sauce, you can add fresh herbs or roast some peppers in the oven, pop into a bag for 10 mins, then remove the skins.  Put into the liquidiser and add to the sauce.  This is lovely with freshly cooked pasta.  Although my favourite pasta is add Philadelphia Extra Light to hot pasta, cooked onions, mushrooms and 2oz wafer thin ham.

Another favourite is kebabs.  Cut up some chicken and thread onto kebab sticks with mushrooms, onions, peppers and any other vegetables you like.  Drizzle with soy sauce and grill for 15-20 mins.  Lovely served with a big fresh salad.

I have to admit I am an ice-cream addict, so I have invested in an ice-cream maker.  I just add skimmed milk and fresh fruit for a lovely fresh ice-cream.  You would be surprised that you don't actually need cream in ice-cream.  Banana is lovely and strawberry ice-cream on a hot summer's day is really refreshing.  I also use skimmed milk and fresh fruit for smoothies.  You don't need anything else, just milk and fruit, maybe a few ice cubes to make it really cold!

I have a lot to thank lifestylemate for.  The support and advice I have received has really helped me and I don't think I would have got back on track without them.  I have even been inspired to organise a charity variety show for later in the year.  Cancer Research UK is a charity which means a lot to me as my mum died of cancer, so anything I can do to help them is worthwhile.  Instead of sitting around eating all the wrong foods, I decided to use my time to help the charity and now I have an added incentive.  I am going to reach my goal by November which is when the show is.

If I can lose weight, running a catering business from home and having two young children, anyone can.

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